Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
For as long as he can remember, Rand Eardley always wanted to be an architect. Even as a child, he knew architecture would play an important role in his future. While in high school, he worked for his father's pre-cast concrete company where he started doing shop drawings and developing associations with architects and engineers.
Rand attended Montana State University and studied architecture. He set a goal to have his own architectural firm by the time he was 35. His dream came true earlier than anticipated when he opened REA Architecture in Park City in 1988 — at the age of 32.
Today Cottonwood Heights-based REA Architecture provides a wide variety of architectural services for commercial, industrial, medical, and custom residential products. Completed local projects include: Deer Valley's Goldener Hirch Inn; Ardell Brown RV in Draper; Mike Hale Acura in Murray; Silver Creek Business Park in Park City; custom residences in Oakley, Cottonwood Heights and St. George; and a remodel of part of the Administration and Museum Building in Zion National Park.
Rand says the company uses a 3-D modeling/computer aided drafting program for design and construction drawings. This product enables those unfamiliar with architectural drawings to understand what their completed building will look like. With the program, REA can even provide a computer-generated walk-thru or fly-around of a building.
Like most companies, REA hasn't been immune from the recession, but since the company picked up some federal contracts, it has weathered the storm better than most. REA has also incorporated green building practices into its designs whenever possible, and four firm members are LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, accredited professionals. Rand plans to continue keeping REA Architecture on the cutting edge of technology and do his best to help the company weather the recession.
